Water

This Water Section specialises in the physical and chemical analyses of both potable and non-potable water types, and environmental samples including soil, sand and sediments.  The section is instrumental in the monitoring of compliance with the Environmental Act and regulations and also in providing data for environmental impact assessments. 

Cooling Tower Water Testing for Legionella

Cooling tower water testing for the bacteria Legionella, the causative agent of legionellosis or Legionnaires’ disease is available at IAS.

Water & Environmental Safety Monitoring

The Laboratory Services offers water testing on the quality of various water types such as potable water, recreational water and wastewater.  Purpose of analysis may include one of the following:

  • Source water samples are analysed to check for contamination and determine general water quality characteristics that influence the treatment processes
  • Process water samples are analysed to provide key information relevant to treatment optimization
  • Finished water samples are analysed to verify the water meets health-based standards and check for contaminants.

Water Types

  • Potable Waters
  • Non-potable waters e.g. receiving waters, ground waters
  • Sewage
  • Effluent and trade wastes
  • Cooling tower and industrial waters
  • Swimming and spa pools
  • Marine waters

Water Tests List

PretreatmentAcid extraction
Filtration
Solvent extraction (for trace metals)
Digestion (for acid extractable metals)
Physical AnalysespH
Conductivity
Turbidity
*Salinity
*Dissolved Oxygen
*Temperature
Total suspended Solids
Total dissolved solids
*Total solids
Chemical AnalysesAmmonia
Alkalinity (mg CaCO3/L)
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)
Chemical oxygen demand (COD)
Chloride
Chlorine (residual)
Nitrite
Nitrate
Reactive Dissolved Phosphorus
Total phosphorus (incl. digestion)
Sulfate
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN)
Silica (reactive) SiO2
Potassium, Calcium, Sodium or Magnesium (individually)
Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn
Mercury
Total hardness (with/without Ca & Mg )
Oil & Grease
Hydrocarbon